GUEST COLUMNIST: NIGERIA STILL NEED EL-RUFAI - KAMAL SHAWAI

EL- RUFA'I SHOULD NOT RETIRE NOW, NIGERIA STILL NEEDS HIM..... KAMALUDDEEN SANI SHAWAI 

A popular adage has it that everything happens for a reason while an American writer Laura Ingalls Wilder was also quoted as saying, "if you want something done, ask a busy person to do it".

The two sayings are an inspiration and guidance for people to dig deep into anything they may bother themselves talking about.

For insurance, in the last few days, the social media has been inundated with a video in which the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State Malam Nasir El-Rufa'i was commenting on why he cannot take any ministerial position after leaving the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House.

In ideal situation, sharing and or commenting on the video which became viral after the name of Malam El -Rufa'i made it to the Tinubu's ministerial list, one should find out why the former Governor made that statement.

Also, even if there was no justification for the said statement, one should bear in mind that it such decisions could be overruled by the person's elders or superiors.

An online video clips containing out of context comments being attributed to Malam Nasir El-rufai in which the intention of the forces behind the fake and mischievous clip  which are going viral for reason best known to them, is to  create tension, doubt and confusion in discrediting the image of Malam Nasir El-rufai.

Mostly also, words are used out of context, when only a small portion of a statement is cut and shared thereby resulting distortion of facts therein.

Such is mainly done by mischief makers while trying to discredit a personality or get him rediculed in the public domain.

Citing Malam Nasir El-Rufa'i insisting on the need for the older ones to retire from politics and allow youths to take ministerial positions after being nominated by President Tinubu leaves much to be told.

Not only Tinubu any visionary leader cannot afford not to make a person who transformed Kaduna to its present status a key member of his Government. 

No matter how old, such a person is indispensable and allowing him or her to retire would be a brain waste.

This is something ignored by enemies of Nigeria and its progress but went all out to mislead citizens.

They are not mindful of what Malam Nasir El-Rufa'i meant at  that material time and never bothered to know the circumstances, reasons as well as the rationale behind such comments. 

It's worthy to note, that oftentimes, multi dimensional change of decisions is predictable on a measurable scale by humans due to certain strong  circumstances that lead to unpredictable, surprising decisions change.

Indeed, changing decisions are occasioned by various factors including utmost pressure from different quarters. It's normal for human beings to shift ground when it becomes necessary.

Above all, Mr President is the main factor in this regard. He wants technorats and result oriented persons like Malam El Rufa'i around him.

Equally, when your people need you they can recall you from the world of retirement to public service, once they want you to serve, you can't afford to decline. It's a clarion call.  because that single action alone will make you a hero who cares about his people's affairs.

In May 2023 Malam Nasir El-Rufa'i said he would retire after his tenure as a Governor and return to school. He  even commence receiving lectures as a part- time PhD student of Philosophy in Governance and Policy Analysis at United Nations University -Merit, Netherlands.

Many prominent personalities across Nigeria including Mr, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu variously appealed to him not to take such a decision because he has much more to give to the nation. 

It could also be recalled that as APC Presidential candidate, Mr Tinubu after his speech at the Kaduna Economic and investment summit said he will not leave the stage until he gets a commitment from Malam Nasir El-rufai on staying in public service beyond 2023.

Ahmed Bola Tinubu  specifically asked  El-Rufa'i to shelve his retirement plan.

This was despite former  FCT Minister's statement, during an interview on Channels TV in May 2022 that he was physically tired of carrying on after his tenure as Governor.

“I am tired. I’m not tired of serving the nation. I’m just physically tired because I do take my work seriously and in the last seven to eight years, I have worked flat out.

“I am not young anymore. I will be 63 next year so I prefer to look at other options to contribute to the development of my country.”

Even with such  pronouncement by El-Rufa'i, Mr, President Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu said his host should not  retire or run to Egypt or any other country for a PhD. He said that Nigeria needs him here.

“I am openly begging Nasir El-Rufai not to run away for an additional degree and excuse. He is going to Cairo—PhD and everything. There are a lot of educated relics. We are not going to let you run away,” he said. 

Mr President, however, reiterated that El-Rufai must give him a pledge to continue to serve.

“I want you to make a promise, we will not let you run away from this country. I am not leaving this stage,” he said.

Tinubu added that "we're openly begging you and we're not going to let you run away your vision, creativity and resilience in turning a rotten situation to a bad one are necessary at this critical time and that is why we are here in Kaduna.

At that point, Malam El-Rufai climbed the stage and promised to carry on. 

It means therefore, the "crime" of 

Malam Nasir El-Rufa'i is his obedience to Mr President. 

For those who do not know, Malam Nasir El-Rufa'i is a first class graduate of Quantity surveyor from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and an alumnus of  Harvard University.

He stands out among Governors in North and Nigeria in general going by his intellect, vision and commitment.

As such in any anything he does, the end results are nothing but incredible achievements just like in Abuja and Kaduna state respectively.

These are the obvious  Mr, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu went all out to bring him back from his planned retirement into active duty.

Certainly, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu needs Malam Nasir El-Rufai's creativity, resilience and ability to turn things around at this critical time.

This means, it is not yet time to retire, Nigeria still needs you Malam Nasiru.

Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai and can be reached via ddeenshawai@gmail.com